Validation of a picture book to be used in a pan-European dietary survey.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a picture book for estimation of food portion sizes using two approaches: (i) 'perception' of food portions by comparison with a series of food photos; and (ii) 'conceptualization and memory', using the same photos to estimate the amount of served food one hour after self-served food portions. DESIGN: Each partner developed a country-specific picture book based on the so-called EPIC-Soft picture book. Representative and common photo series were chosen achieving approximately 25 % of the original picture book (n 23). Three portions from each photo series were randomly selected. SETTING: The study was performed within the Pilot study in the view of a Pan-European dietary survey - Adolescents, adults and elderly (PILOT-PANEU) project. SUBJECTS: A sample of adolescents and adults was recruited in five countries: Bulgaria (n 103), Finland (n 34), Germany (n 69), Hungary (n 62) and Portugal (n 77). RESULTS: Among the portions of the corresponding photo series and depending on the type of food, from 18 % (cheese) to 96 % (ratatouille) of participants chose the correct portions. In the perception study, agreement between the portions shown and reported was substantial (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)=0·805) and the mean difference was very low. In the memory study, agreement between the served and reported portions was lower than in the perception study (ICC=0·536). Agreement also seemed to decrease as the appearance of food on the plate differed from food in the picture. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the picture series selected can be applied in future intake surveys to quantify foods similar to those depicted in the pictures.

National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (2015-2016): Protocol for Design and Development.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of food consumption data using harmonized methodologies at the European level is fundamental to support the development of public policies. Portugal is one of the countries with the most outdated information on individual food consumption. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the design and methodology of the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 2015-2016, developed to collect national and regional data on dietary habits, physical activity (PA), and nutritional status, in a representative sample of the Portuguese general population (3 months-84 years). METHODS: Participants were selected by multistage sampling, using the National Heath Registry as the sampling frame. Data collection, during 12 months, was harmonized according to European guidelines (EU-MENU, European Food Safety Authority [EFSA]). Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) was performed on a specific electronic platform synchronized with nutritional composition data and considering the FoodEx2 classification system. Dietary assessment was performed using 24-hour recalls (two nonconsecutive, 8-15 days apart) or food diaries in the case of children aged <10 years, complemented with a food propensity questionnaire; PA data (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ], the Activity Choice Index [ACI], and 4-days PA diaries); sociodemographic data, and other health-related data were also collected. RESULTS: A sample of 6553 individuals completed the first interview, and 5811 participants completed two dietary assessments. The participation rate among eligible individuals was 33.38% (6553/19,635), considering the first interview, and 29.60% (5811/19,635) for the participants with two completed interviews (about 40% in children and adolescents and 20% in elderly individuals). Results of the survey will be disseminated in national and international scientific journals during 2018-2019. CONCLUSIONS: The survey will assist policy planning and management of national and European health programs on the improvement of nutritional status and risk assessment related to food hazards, and the enhancement of PA. The infrastructures and data driven from this Survey are a solid basis to the development of a future national surveillance system on diet, PA, and other health behaviors reproducible over time.

[PRAdA intervention: effects on weight of dietary intervention among treated hypertensive Portuguese natives and African immigrants]. / Intervenção PRAdA: efeitos no peso induzidos por proposta de alteração de comportamento alimentar em hipertensos medicados nativos Portugueses e imigrantes de origem Africana.

INTRODUCTION: Blood pressure is significantly improved with weight loss. Behavioral interventions for weight loss seem to be less successful in African immigrants. Our main aims were to assess the effect of a dietary and lifestyle intervention on weight among hypertensive Portuguese natives and immigrants and to identify success factors for weight loss, and also to evaluate changes in knowledge and compliance with food recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hypertensive medicated patients followed in primary care setting were randomly enrolled in a two phase study, observational (15-months) and behavioral intervention (six months). Participants were divided in two groups: immigrants from African Countries of Portuguese Official Language and Portuguese natives. Participants were given dietary and life styles recommendations in individual face-to-face and telephone sessions. RESULTS: Of 110 participants with a mean BMI of 31.6 ± 3.7 Kg/m(2), 60 were immigrants. The number of dietary recommendations known and followed at the end was significantly greater than at baseline; however natives performed a greater number of recommendations. Weight loss during intervention was in average 1.4 ± 2.7% in natives and 0.8 ± 3.6% in immigrants and was greater than in the observational period. Being male and consuming more than 2 servings of low-fat dairy products/day was associated with higher weight loss, independently of age and ethnicity. DISCUSSION: In general the proposed intervention was efficacious especially in Portuguese natives, confirming other studies. CONCLUSION: The intervention increased knowledge and adherence to recommendations, highlighting the relevance of nutrition education, culturally adapted in primary care.

Introdução: Perdas de peso melhoram o controlo da tensão arterial em indivíduos hipertensos. As intervenções comportamentais para a perda de peso parecem ser menos eficazes nos imigrantes de origem africana (IOA). Os principais objetivos foram avaliar os efeitos no peso de uma intervenção alimentar em hipertensos nativos de origem portugueses (NOP) e IOA; identificar fatores de sucesso na perda de peso; avaliar a evolução dos conhecimentos e adesão às recomendações alimentares. Material e Métodos: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente hipertensos medicados seguidos nos cuidados de saúde primários para um estudo de duas fases, observacional (15 meses) e de intervenção comportamental (seis meses). Os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: IOA e NOP. Foram dadas recomendações alimentares e de estilos de vida em sessões individuais presenciais e telefónicas. Resultados: Dos 110 participantes, com IMC médio de 31,6 ± 3,7 kg/m2 e idade média 61,3 ± 10,0 anos, 60 eram imigrantes. Durante a intervenção os NOP perderam 1,4 ± 2,7% do peso e os IOA 0,8 ± 3,6%, sendo a perda superior comparativamente com a fase observacional. Ser do sexo masculino e consumir pelo menos duas porções de lacticínios magros por dia associou-se a maior perda de peso durante a intervenção, independentemente da idade e origem. Houve um aumento significativo no número de recomendações dietéticas conhecidas e cumpridas, com os NOP a cumprirem em média mais recomendações. Discussão: A intervenção foi bem sucedida relativamente à perda de peso, especialmente no grupo dos NOP, confirmando outros estudos. Conclusão: A intervenção aumentou os conhecimentos e adesão às recomendações, realçando a pertinência da educação alimentar, culturalmente adaptada, nos cuidados de saúde primários.